Key



' F. E; BEST Aug. 7,' 192s.

A KEY Original Filed lay 23. 19.35 i

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MZ/Q if Patented Aug. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK ELLISON BEST, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, ILSSIGNOLR.y TO FRANK E. BEST, INC., OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, A CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON.

KEY.'

Application filed May 23,1923, Serial No. 640,946. Renewed January 9, 1928.

My invention relates to improvements in keys for pin tumbler locks and the object of my improvement is to provide a key having stop means on its outer end by which 5 the position ot' the key in a lock is determined thereby making it possible to use the same key in locks having a dili'erent number of tumbler pins.

In my system ot pin tumbler locks I find l" it of advantage in many instances to construct or set up a plurality of different locks in such a manner as to render them capabl of being operated by a single key. In carrying out this system it often happens that i5 it is desirable to use the. same key in locks having a different number of tumbler pins so that in the locks having less than the maximum number of tumbler pins only a number of notches on the outer end ot the key 'i0 corresponding to the number of' tumblers in the lock will be used. This makes it desirable to provide means for accurately positioning the key relative to the tumbler pins regardless of the number of such tumbler pins. All prior' pin tumbler' lock keys with which I am familiar have positioning devices located on the inner end ot the key adjacent the inger piece. These positioning devices are designed to engage with the :so outer ends of the respective locks to position the keys relative to the tumblers when the keys are inserted entirely into the locks and obviously would not be operative in ease the key could not be inserted entirely into the :s lock.

Providing the stop on the outer end of the key and providing suitable means in all locks with kwhich said stop may engage makes it possible to use the same key suecess'fully in loc-ks having less than the maximum number of tumblers which the key is capable ofpoperating.

The stop on the end of the key is also used in positioning the key in a key cutting machine in which the notches or serrations in the edge otl the key are formed. In the drawings Fig. l is a view in elevation of a key constructed in accordance with my invention.

l Fig. 2 is a sectional viewyshowing the key 1n an operative position in a lock.

Referring to the drawings, throughout which like reference numerals designate like parts I have shown a pin tumbler lock key 3 of well known form that is provided on its forward end with a notch 4 forming a sh0ul der 5 that is arranged to engage with a stop 6 formed in a pin tumbler lock 7, said stop means serving to properly align the notches or serrations, 8, in the edge ot the key relative to the pin tumbler-s 9 in the lock.

The key 3 is capable of operating a lock with more tuinblers than are provided in the lock 7 in which said key is shown in Fig. 2 to be inserted but it is obvious that the stop means on the forward end ot' said key will. operate in exactly the same manner regardless of the number oi tumblers in the lock.

The shoulder' 5 is also used' for accurately positioning the key in a key cutting machine in which the notches on the front edge otl the key are. formed.

The foregoing description and accompanyingy drawings clearly illustrate what I now consider to he a preferred embodiment of my invention but it will be understood that changes in the same may be resorted to within the scope of the followingclaim.

' I claim:

The combination with a. pin tumbler lock having a separable key stop at its inner end.

of a key having its rear edge notched at the forward end forming a shoulder arranged to engage with said stop for positioning said key in said lock.

FRANK ELLISON BEST. 

